In today's fast changing technology environment executive job search is a continually moving target, creating new opportunities and pitfalls for the executive job seeker.

Paper Resumes - passé? 

There was much discussion earlier this year on this subject and viewpoints both for and against, but the general consensus seems to be: Paper resumes for job applications make you look old and outdated. And yet, hiring managers still want the convenience of a paper resume at the interview.

Job Boards – in or out?

Job Boards have been gaining popularity over the past ten years. The success of jobs search engines in bridging the gap between jobseekers and employers has spawned thousands of job sites. According to the International Association of Employment Web Sites, there are over 40,000 employment web sites. According to comScore Media Metrix, July 2009, the most visited job boards were CareerBuilder, Yahoo! HotJobs, and Monster.com.

Then there are niche sites such as TheLadders and BlueSteps, both of which target high earners, and are gaining followers among recruiters and job seekers alike. Added to the fray are job search engines such as SimplyHired and Indeed, which trawl the job boards and corporate employment sites to grab every available posting. 

Employment web sites may still be a tactic in your job search strategy, and for this reason we have listed a number of executive web sites which may benefit your research.

LinkedIn's growing appeal!

LinkedIn was launched in May 2003, and as of October 2009 had more than 48 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. An article in Businessweek, June 2009, stated that "the growing appeal of LinkedIn to recruiters is just one more headache for Monster to contend with". 

LinkedIn's popularity and benefit as a professional networking site is unquestionable now, October 2009, as we write this article. But … For how long? Already, we're hearing "LinkedIn profiles are a must, blogs a plus." What's next?

Your Online Profiles

Other social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are also becoming popular search destinations with employers. With the growing popularity of social media, people now have multiple profiles online. We've all heard nightmare stories about people not getting hired, or even getting fired after they were Googled and found on Facebook in a situation that could be described as professionally compromising. 

Facebook is no longer just a place to connect with friends and family. In March 2009 Facebook launched Pages, its new public profile for businesses and celebrities to build brand and community. Now there's a way to maintain your personal network separate from your professional network on Facebook.

Today you are more likely to be Googled by a recruiter than found on a job board. Notice the search engine results today when you do a Google search. It's the social media links that are coming up at the top of the organic search. Herein lies a key to your career management strategy. If you know how, you can be found.

Paper Resumes, Job Boards, LinkedIn – In or Out?

In the days of the paper resume, getting an interview was dependent on "What You Know". Online job boards and email made both recruiting and getting an interview more efficient with the electronic resume. Then came LinkedIn  which added "Who You Know" to the digital equation and made networking easier for job seekers and selective recruiting more efficient for employers. Now, as the unemployment numbers increase and more and more candidates get on board with LinkedIn, the question becomes: "When will LinkedIn be surpassed by the next, more efficient technology offering?"

Talent-Driven Recruiting Strategy v.s. Recruiting for Current Openings

January 2010 is near. The beginning of a new year when hiring budgets open again. Only time will tell if the economic tide turns. Companies with a talent-driven recruiting strategy are always prospecting and readily maintain a pool of top candidates for new opportunities. Company executives use the internet for innovative and competitive research. When a business owner or senior executive searches for a solution to their company's problem, will they find you?

Your Web 2.0 Professional Portfolio™

The next advance in job search technology has been around for some time. Web 2.0 is being massively leveraged by businesses, from Fortune 500 companies to the solo-preneur. The recruiting industry and job search candidates are just beginning to explore advantages offered by social media and personal Web 2.0 sites.

  With the staggering competition in the executive job market, landing an interview is no longer a matter of "What You Know" and "Who You Know". Now it's a matter of "Who Knows You". Can those companies with a talent-driven recruiting strategy find you? The Executive who can be found through their personal Web 2.0 site is positioned as the solution to an employer's problem.

Consider your Web 2.0 Professional Portfolio™ your first interview!